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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Cris Cyborg has a new home, and perhaps unsurprisingly, it's with Invicta Fighting Championships. After requesting and being granted a release from Zuffa, Cyborg and manager Tito Ortiz announced on Friday that she has signed with the all-women's MMA organization.
Cyborg will make her debut with the organization on April 5 at Invicta FC 5 against 32-year-old Ediane "India" Gomes.
"We are thrilled to welcome Cris Cyborg, arguably the top pound-for-pound female fighter in the world, to our rapidly growing roster of world-class athletes,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp in a press release announcing the signing. “Cris' incredible performances in front of national TV audiences over the last few years have helped put women's MMA on the radar of the masses and paved the way for others to establish themselves in the sport."
The former Strikeforce Women's Featherweight Champion hasn't fought since a December 2011 victory over Hiroko Yamanaka. She failed a drug test for steroids out of that fight, turning it into a no contest and earning her a year-long suspension. She was in talks with the UFC, but when she determined she couldn't make 135 lbs. for a fight with Ronda Rousey, the UFC had nothing for her.
"I am excited to finally get back in the cage and to have the opportunity to fight for Invicta Fighting Championships, which has shown a tremendous amount of commitment to furthering the growth of women’s MMA,” said Cyborg. “I will be ready on April 5 for Ediane and I plan to dominate my competition as I’ve done in the past."
She'll now move on with her career against the 10-2 Gomes, whose last loss came against the aforementioned Rousey in March of 2011. In that fight, she was submitted by armbar in just 25 seconds. However, she's bounced back with four straight wins, including two with Invicta. She most recently defeated Yamanaka at Invicta FC 4 in January.
The winner of this fight will take on Marloes Coenen for the first Invicta FC Featherweight Title later this year. Additionally, Cyborg's deal will allow her to go back to the UFC should the opportunity arise in the future.
Penick's Analysis: This was the most realistic option for Cyborg, and it's a good addition for Invicta. They've now got the second biggest name in women's MMA, giving them a big name for at least a couple of fights, and for Cyborg she can try to work her weight down naturally and make another run at Rousey and the UFC if that's what she wants. It's a good deal for both sides considering Cyborg isn't going to make 135 lbs. soon, and if the UFC opts to expand their women's field, or if Cyborg herself can finally make that drop, then she'll have a chance to come into the UFC at a later date.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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